Island Creek PTA Meeting
August 12, 2003
Attendees: Margaret Von Kolnitz, Sharon Shrader, Jen Bishop, Lori, Cardillo, Liz Townsend, Susan Owner, Andrew Press,Betty Harris,Liz Dunn, Sandy Esquivel, Kimberly Barker-Brugman, Theresa Painter, Gina Hughes, Stephanie Guidinetti, Jessica Tyeryar, Cheryl Todd, Howard Wahlberg, Julia Jessee, Brenda Bring,Simone McDonald, John Goodwin, Gladys Bush, Sandy England, Leitha Hunt, Janice Lowe, Celeste Kennedy, Sheila Dixon, Cheryl Rowe, Jenny Linbenbaum, Amy Snipes, Alicia Szramoski, Jerry Jurasits, Rebecca Liechty, and Lisa Backe.
Note: Special Thanks to Sandy Esquivel for taking minutes in my absence.
I. President’s Report
Margaret welcomed the group. By mid-fall all information will be on the Island Creek Website. Until then, Margaret will continue to send out emails about PTA items and meetings.
Dr. Owner thanked the PTA Hospitality Committee for the teachers welcome program. The PTA will have an important role so the new staff can bond as a team. It is a priority for Dr. Owner to have parent volunteers in the school. There is a target mailing early in the week of Aug. 18th to include information on walking, bus riding, and the tour of the building to be held on Aug. 24th from 2-4 pm. There will be a monthy newsletter and weekly reminders throughout the year. August 27th will be Walk to School Night.
Penny Klein, volunteer coordinator, needs volunteers for patrol posts for 2-3 weeks at the beginning of the school year. They will be selecting student patrols and training them during that time period. The volunteers will receive an Island Creek hat. Island Creek will be a large walking community, only needing 4-5 buses. Questions were raised about children walking from Amberleigh. Dr. Owner suggested calling transportation for an explanation. Bus routes, locations, and pick-up times are being mailed to students riding a bus.
There was a discussion regarding field trips and the average amount spent on each one. Dr. Owner said that it depends on the age of the students. Older classes take longer trips. The biggest expense is the bus. The lowest cost is usually $200.00. Island Creek was selected to have the opera come this school year. Dr. Owner noted that there will be a science fair this spring and is required for all 5th and 6th grade students. There is also a faculty team building opportunity at challenge.org.
Howard Wahlberg reported on Hands on Science. There is a project to make 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade rooms into “orbiting space” by using kits from Lockheed Martin and a science association.
Liz Dunn mentioned that Island Creek PTA meetings will be on the Island Creek sign each month. Dr. Owner is requiring each grade level to pick a month and come to the PTA meeting so the parents can get to know the staff. Teachers will be forwarded the PTA meeting minutes each month.
Penny Klein is working on the parent survey form so that it will not be the same as Lane’s.
Lori Cardillo and Carol Fay asked for donations for a teacher breakfast on Aug. 28th. Muffins and bagels are NOT needed.
Fundraising lead by Simone McDonald and Jen Bishop shared that the Uno’s fundraiser made $485.02 and the Baja Fresh one made $395.75. Basket Bingo will be held on Oct. 19th. Gift wrap sales will go home in the first weekly packet with products being delivered early November. August 20th Red, Hot, and Blue will be donating to a teacher’s gathering. August 25th, Uno’s will be providing pizza to the teachers.
Liz Townsend talked about the newsletter. It will be monthly. Articles will always be due the Monday after the monthly PTA meeting. In the 3rd Thursday folder of the week, the newsletter will go home each month. The deadline for the first newsletter is August 25th.
The website is now and FCPS space. Island Creek will have one full time technical person for this year only.
Spiritwear forms were due to Joy McManus on August 15th. To update: the order has been placed for 113 items. Targeted delivery is the first or second week of school. A new order is being taken with the close out due date of Sept. 30th.
There will be a school directory this year.
Landscaping Committee has been formed and is being headed up by Sandy English.
There was a discussion about teachers posting assignments for the coming year. The teachers will be calling of their students before school starts.
Line Item Explanations for the budget were passed out.
Respectfully submitted,
Joy McManus
Secretary, Island Creek PTA